Why Everything In Publishing Takes So Long

[@caraperegrino]

This video makes me so happy. I work for a small publishing company and I constantly have people asking me why publishing takes forever and I want to throttle them. I've honestly had people say they'd never traditionally publish because publishers don't really do anything and it makes me sad. We're not being lazy or deliberately winding you up with how long it takes, it's just that a lot of the work (and the stressful scramble to get it all done) isn't something you see if you aren't part of it!

[@nolaray1062]

If I ever become so incredibly fortunate that I am able to be published, I wouldn’t care if it took them 3 years to get it out. Just knowing I was going to be published would be everything I ever dreamed of.

[@MichaelRichardson36]

The last part about other people being excited while you've moved on is real.

[@johnchastain7890]

Billy Joel once said he was tired of people at his concerts still screaming "PIANO MAN! PIANO MAN!"

[@jamiedamato8220]

I'd love to hear more about your differing experiences between publishers! From a "major" to a big 5, I definitely wonder how different it is! Great video and thank you!!

[@corarara6482]

I second this!

[@annac6098]

I third it!!

[@Nemo37K]

This stuff is so useful and makes me excited - I like knowing how the sausage gets made - for my own hopeful publication in the future.

[@autumnadams4574]

I want to be in the room where it happens

[@Nemo37K]

@@autumnadams4574 We just assume that it happens

[@mina352]

“Trad pub can be murder on those who don’t have patience.” Learning that the hard way right now lol!

[@elise_elise13]

Congrats on getting published!!

[@Supvia]

I’d love to hear the difference between the publishers! 😍

[@MeredithSchorr]

I needed to hear this! I accepted my deal in August, 2020 and my book comes out in summer, 2022. TWO YEARS!!!

[@mandylove9845]

I’m glad to see your comment. It’s been almost 2 years since I got my book deal and I have no idea when it’s coming out.

[@MeredithSchorr]

@@mandylove9845 Oh, that is tough!! I hope you get a pub date soon.

[@amy-suewisniewski6451]

Oh, I love when books put graphics for things like texts and DMs in books! Makes me even more excited that I preordered it :D I also find the cognitive dissonance in traditional publishing you talked about really attractive. I love the idea of being far enough into the next space to save your emotional health on release.

[@thelastunicorn7373]

Hey congrats on your new publishing deal! Thank you for the awesome info. Hopefully I can be part of the awesome writers of KZbin like yourself. All the best!

[@EDDIELANE]

I love how Alexa constantly brings us the truth about publishing and waht we should reasonably expect…. and then breaks through those ceilings and expectations every time with her own work. LOL! It’s pretty cool to watch someone basically come to define what a successful author looks like in 2021.

[@robinlysan8158]

I've been through a rushed editorial + marketing phase before and it was no fun. I think it's a relief when things are allowed their time!

[@bhsprinkle]

Yeah, publishing isn't very quick. I wouldn't mind waiting a few years as long as it actually ends up published and on the shelves. Good to learn about the behind the scenes of this. To notice how many hands it exchanged through before publication and sales.

[@mattie1478]

the part about a book being published by the time you have completely moved on from it actually sounds nice tbh. means you are not so invested in its success that you will be anxiously checking sales/social media posts/etc about it once it comes out. or maybe that's just me lol. i'd rather feel like my job here is done *way* before a book actually goes on sale

[@RachelBateman]

I love that you mention that the long timeframe is GOOD. I feel you so hard on this. My debut released 11 months after it sold. And while it was nice to have it on the shelves so soon instead of having to wait, a LOT of the lead up hype was sacrificed for that, so it was not in front of nearly the number of people it would’ve been had I had a more traditional timeline for publication.

[@theliterarybystander8726]

As someone who did a Masters degree learning all about this, I am just thankful here for this video like yes she gets it! Also most trad publishers have teams are working on at least 5+ other titles at the same time as your book, which can be across several different forms/genres and therefore will vary in how much work need, marketing and publicity strategies, distributions, etc. Like no hate on self-publishing (I am entertaining the idea myself), but I think I'd accept the long period for my book to get published in return for it being in the hands of experienced professionals who know what they are doing and will be to a higher calibre.

[@NineSixRane]

Thanks for all the insights, Alexa! You are one of the more honest booktubers!

[@sarahbunny8662]

I would be interested in a video comparing your two experiences with the two different publishers. Looking forward to reading your next book.

[@hannarose166]

I want all the videos Alexa!!! Make all the videos sharing EVERYTHING YOU ARE MY FAVOURITE KZbin HUMAN!!

[@raepiano3604]

Thank you for this video. It sounds like patience will pay off.

[@nicklang6798]

It's always about the new books for us authors. Thanks. And happy writing

[@essauthor]

I appreciate this video as someone working on their debut. It is a nice reminder to be patient as well as a good reference point to show to people when they ask why my book isn't out yet.

[@rebeccatrusty7003]

I would love to learn more about the differences between the two publishers!

[@writeitdown2013]

This is really helpful! Maybe if I practice just slowing everything down in my life, it will make me prepared if I ever get to experience the exciting (and slow) publishing process

[@nicklang6798]

Being a self publisher makes me appreciate publishers and what they go through. Didn't know so many parts.

[@zazi5094]

I mean to be fair to the Publisher reading books takes time... So there's the answer!

[@allyji96]

I have no frickin idea how that's relatable for me as someone who's not from the States, but still gonna watch it, you're so good at talking, Gosh!!! 🖤

[@dorothyinman4632]

This video was so helpful. I've been querying this year and personally with a kindergartner and 4th grader at home doing virtual learning my process is slow so it is understable that publishing is in a similar state. Thank you for always being blunt and educating us on what we should beware of (shmagents) in the industry. But you're also encouraging as well 💚

[@carolyntaraoneil8789]

It takes so long! 😭 Appreciate this walkthrough, though. And I would LOVE to hear about the differences between HMH and PRH.

[@theelizaaguilar]

When I learned some of this, I was wayy more understanding of waiting for books. I don't even mind waiting over a year if it means the author and other staff involved have room to breath.

[@CharlieHorse4363]

Yes please do make a video on the differences between the two publishers! 💟

[@nela_happysoul]

It's always great to hear from you. Hopefully it's going to be me one day. Stay healthy

[@martawalczyk1566]

It's great to hear about your experiences, looking forward to your future videos.

[@rachelbrown8174]

Yes!! The comparison of publishers would be interesting!

[@authormdluna]

Okay for real. Hairstylist here. How do you style those waves into your hair? GORGEOUS!

[@TheEccentricRaven]

This sums up why I still want to be traditionally published despite the long wait time. All of that time waiting is all time that I could spend writing. So many American self-published writers are married and have a spouse who they can get benefits from. As a single, the only way I get affordable health care is through my employer. Since I have to work full-time time, if I self-publish, I would have no time to write. So, no thanks to self-publishing 👎. I already work a profession where our work is slow, yet we have to deal with complainers who don't understand what goes on behind the scenes. Think iceburg. You only know what's happening on the surface. Before you judge someone's slowness, research more to find out why. Then you’ll be in for a rude awakening 😉

[@talizorah]

I mean it's taking me like ten years to even write my book; I can't exactly be mad about taking two or three years for it to get published (if it ever does).

[@kerrykingcreates]

I love your videos. It is exciting to hear the behind the scenes process.

[@emq1455]

I appreciate your videos so much, you're so real and down-to-earth. Thank you ♡

[@monarose1387]

Yes, please tell us what it was like between the two publishing houses!

[@trixiewalker6159]

Comparing different publishers would be awesome!

[@VinnyTheory]

If you’ve published 3 books in 3 years, that’s really fast!

[@esthermarieandujar]

This was a wonderful video!!! I love how well lay out you explain all the moving parts.

[@marinawolf]

Thank you for another insightful video, you're a great communicator! Edit: could you please describe what a "book box" is in one of your next videos?

[@JonathanSanchez-kk1lr]

Hey Alexa! Love your videos and knowledge on book publishing. Question: any info on book translation? My dream is to have a book in Spanish and English. Is it similar to basic publishing or is there an entire industry in place for that? Thanks in advance.

[@GhostCake27]

Love your videos! And a video on your experiences between the two would be awesome

[@DanicaChristin]

Definitely interested in differences between publishers

[@bodine219]

I would love that video comparison. If it happened and I missed it, somebody point me in the right direction :)

[@IDareToBeAlexandria]

Yeah, I will definitely be asking God for patience LMBO!!! I think I'm okay with there part but goodness... editing is not my favorite thing to do.

[@alyssaroseknits]

Do you get to choose or approve the book cover? How long does it take to get a book cover you like? Or do you just get what they give you?

[@jounderwood534]

8 million people have read your book! That is so impressive

[@AlexaDonne]

Lol right I wish. It feels that way sometimes at my publisher :P

[@johnchastain7890]

@@AlexaDonne ...or maybe 8 people read it a million times each!

[@cai_4602]

Could you do a video about creating ideas for novels/stories and then developing those ideas?

[@tessduck2120]

Oh man, I'm having flashbacks to my publishing graphic design internships

[@williamribardo3736]

That makes sense. If I have a book with 500 pages if 500 people were to read one page the book could be covered in a short amount of time. If only one person worked on the book this will not be time efficient.

[@dancedj2k2]

We appreciate the help and the advice, but your video is quite lengthy and should have been edited itself. Maye for your next video, do bullet points so you don't and too much filler in the advice giving. Congrats on the new book coming out.

[@spoiledbybeth]

What happens if you disagree with the changes they want?

[@nicklang6798]

Oh, and formatting the manuscript. Holy 🙄

[@casualcascade]

How do sensitivity readers factor in? I know it's probably a good idea to employ one if you can before even submitting but during developmental edits do the publishing house work with them again?

[@Danimita92]

Super interesting video! :D If you've sold your debut and it'll take 2 years before release, but in the middle of those 2 years you're ready to sell them your next book, do publishers wait to see if your first one sold before buying the next one? Or do they take the risk so as not to have more than a year between books?

[@AlexaDonne]

Often, yes. It depends on a lot of factors including what the option clause in your contract says. Some indeed don't let you turn in material for review until after your book is on sale. Others, it's after you've it "delivery and acceptance" on the manuscript... but even so many publishers will sit on that material until sales numbers come in, either on the backend (they wait for the sales team to report how bookstores are receiving the title/how many orders they've placed) or until literal on-sale date to see what consumer numbers are like. Every situation is different!

[@solarsailer4166]

Thank you for these videos. They really help us unpublished writers keep more realistic expectations! What is "standard" for how much time a writer has to write and revise the book before they have to send to their editor? (I was a little unclear from your final segment) I'm sure there are variations in contracts, but what is common for YA and adult genres? Does this differ for standalones or series? I'm wondering because I can draft a book in 6 weeks, but it takes me 5x as long to revise the damn thing! I also love to take time off between drafting and revising to regain perspective. Is this a realistic working method for authors on contract? Thanks!!

[@booksvsmovies]

Were your audiobooks done in-house or did you sell those rights to a specific audiobook publisher who handled production?

[@josephcarrel7202]

A little off topic would you advise putting the name of your series on the front cover with your title

[@georginab4049]

Are agents taking more time to respond in the pandemic? Last month, I had a reaction from a query I sent back in August and I was just wondering if that’ll be the case as I queried in October again and haven’t received anything back yet

[@CarlyUTube]

Is this why paperbacks are so much more expensive now? In my opinion anyway. I enjoy REAL BOOKS I’m not really into ebooks and that seems to be what is pushed.

[@TheReadingPuppet]

I have a question. The Book Edge of Great - Julie and the Phantoms which is a novelization of the TV show, was published by Scholastic a few months after the show premiered on Netflix. I mean how did that happen. Was the book being written as the tv show was filming, did people just know it was going to be a huge hit? I mean I was surprised the book released in December and the show has just aired in September. I love the TV show and I bought the book, still reading it. - But this did pass through my mind of how fast this happened.

[@AlexaDonne]

IP. When you see that it is IP 99.9% of the time. The TV show and book were developed simultaneously. (same with The 100 and many others)

[@TheReadingPuppet]

@@AlexaDonne oh, okay thanks 😊

[@dukeofdenver]

You're looking glamorous

[@kh9993]

This is not publishing related- Can we get your skincare regimen?

[@starlitfox9242]

What if someone is just beginning I'm a writer who is just starting out it makes me nervous and what not

[@rojh9351]

It is a nervous time starting out. Mostly, the best thing to do is just write, but don’t expect it to support you financially. That’s okay. Lots of writers pay the bills with the day job. If you’re serious about getting into print, seek out criticism of your work and avoid well meaning flattery. A brutally honest reader is your most valuable asset. Unless you’re incredibly lucky, chances are that your early work will be where you learn the craft and make all the mistakes - it normally takes a few writing projects before you find your distinctive take on fiction. Good luck!

[@johnpauldagondong2720]

8 million people have read your book? wow

[@hellofromdavid]

Publishing means: _making available to the public_ - anyone can do it in about a week. The process is as follows: format your text (finished story) into a multi-page book. Convert it into a PDF file. Send it to a commercial lithographic printer, with the cover artwork, and nominate the quantity you wish (25 to 25,000+). In about *ten days* you will receive your bound books. And you will be a published author. The cost starts at around: £50 to £100 which makes it open to anyone.

[@AlexaDonne]

I am a traditionally published author and specialize in traditional publishing. That's what viewers are here for. Yes, anyone can vanity publish.

[@hellofromdavid]

@@AlexaDonne - I prefer to use the _neutral_ term 'self-publish' and then allow the reader to judge the quality of the book.

[@AlexaDonne]

@@hellofromdavid Someone who thoughtfully publishes their work self publishes. But pay to publish as you described (so fast! publish to call yourself published!) is vanity publishing. There is a distinction. I apologize if I mistook the nature of your comment, but the "well actually" aspect of it spoke to the ease of vanity publishing.

[@hellofromdavid]

@@AlexaDonne - What a writer wishes to do, is to _communicate their ideas_ to a readership. If the traditional method takes a long time, then this can be off-putting and frustrating. This is not to say that, to be accepted (validated) by a publishing house is not prestigious; because it is an impressive achievement. However, it may mean that your work gets ‘sanitised’ in order to meet the standards, or the tone, of the publisher. Self-publishing allows for quick access to your readership, and total control of your own words on the page. Who wouldn’t wish for that?